2. Author: John
Recipients: All Christians Everywhere
Date: A.D. (perhaps as late as 90-98)
Theme: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Key Words: “believe,” “Father,” “life,” “love,” “sign”
Key Verses: 1:1, 14; 3:16; 8:32; 20:30-31
Key Phrase: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (20:30-31)

3. Characteristics & Features of the Book:
Universal
Unique
The individual
The Father
Preexistence
Most events are exclusive to John’s account
No parables
Jewish author to non-Jewish readers
The Apostle of Love
One of the four accounts

4. Main Emphasis of the Book:
John was written to and for the benefit of all Christians everywhere.
The explicit purpose of John’s account of the gospel is spelled out near the end of his book: “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (20:30-31).
THREE KEYS: SIGNS  BELIEVE  LIFE

5. Jesus Is the Son of God…Based upon the Testimony of the Signs/Miracles.
John records numerous signs (i.e., miracles) of Jesus to prove He is the Son of God.
John mentions (in a general way) signs which Jesus did throughout His ministry.
John emphasizes SEVEN particular signs of Jesus to prove that He is the Son of God.
The Changing of Water to Wine (2:1-12)
The Healing of the Nobleman’s Son (4:46-54)
The Healing of a Lame Man at Bethesda (5:1-15)
The Feeding of the Five Thousand (6:1-14)
The Walking on the Water (6:16-21)
The Healing of a Blind Man (9:1-41)
The Raising of Lazarus (11:1-44)

6. Jesus Is the Son of God…Based upon the Testimony of Many Eyewitnesses.
The Apostle John himself
John the Baptist (John 1:6-36)
Andrew (John 1:40-42)
Philip (John 1:43-45)
Nathanael (John 1:46-51)
Nicodemus (John 3:2)
Woman of Samaria (John 4:28-29)
The Samaritans (John 4:39-42)
The man healed from 38-year infirmity (John 5:5-16)
Peter (John 6:66-69)
The Officers sent from the Sanhedrin (John 7:32, 45-47)
The man healed who had been born blind (9:1-41)
Martha (11:27)
Pilate (18:38; 19:4, 6)
Joseph of Arimathea (19:38-42)
Mary Magdalene (20:11-18)
The disciples (20:19-25)
Thomas (20:26-29)

7. Jesus Is the Son of God…Based upon the Testimony of the “I AM” Statements of Jesus.
John records numerous statements that Jesus made that began with “I am…”
There are SEVEN “I AM” statements often identified in the book that specifically focus on Jesus’ deity.
“I am the bread of life” (6:35, 41, 48, 51).
“I am the light of the world” (8:12; 9:5).
“I am the door [of the sheep]” (10:7, 9).
“I am the good shepherd” (10:11, 14).
“I am the resurrection and the life” (11:25).
“I am the way, the truth and the life” (14:6).
“I am the true vine” (15:1, 5).

8. Jesus Is the Son of God…Based upon the Testimony of Old Testament Prophecies and Types.
Jesus Is the Son of God…Based upon the Further Testimony of Jesus Himself.
Jesus Is the Son of God…Based upon the Testimony of the Father-Son Relationship